H.E. Daniel Krull; German Ambassador to Ghana paid a visit to the Paramount Chief of the Akpini Traditional Area in Kpando. His visit is the first time a sitting German Ambassador is visiting the Traditional Area in recent time.

According to the Ambassador, he was there at the invitation of the Paramount Chief and intended to use the opportunity to update the Akpini people on the status of their royal belongings that were looted and taken to Germany during the German colonization of the area.

The German Ambassador expressed worry that the Ghana government did not seem so eager to facilitate the return of the items. He however assured the people of Kpando that his outfit is committed to reuniting the royal items with people of Kpando.

He also took advantage of his visit to know the area and also to determine possible areas of development that the German government could support within the locale.

Akpini Paramount Chief:

For his part; Okpekpewuokpe Togbui Dagadu IX, Akpinifia welcomed the Ambassador and pressed for the release of the royal items which he said are on display in German Museums.

“These regalia were seized by Dr. Gruner in 1913 after he had masterminded the exile of King Dagadu, my ancestor to the Cameroun. Dr. Gruner then took the items away to Germany” he recounted.

He added that the request for the restitution and return of the royal regalia was started by his predecessor Togbui Dagadu the VIII in 2015 during the time of Ambassador Rudiger.

Togbui Dagadu IX outlined some development potential of the area and encouraged the German Ambassador to rally the German government and investors to support the development of the area.

He stressed education, Agriculture and lake tourism as some of the key areas to be considered for partnership.

Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie,  Kumasi.